The end of an era: Ashe hosts his 39th and final clambake

Aug. 19, 2016 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

Sheriff Michael Ashe greets Gov. Charlie Baker at the sheriff’s annual clambake fundraiser on Aug. 17 at the Springfield Elks Club. See the story on page 2.
Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – Although his annual clambake was months away from his last day in office, it was Sheriff Michael Ashe’s last hurrah in some ways. In his 42 years as Hampden County sheriff he has conducted his annual fundraising clambake 39 times and this was the last one on Aug. 17.

Political observers and elected officials have agreed there’s no other event quite like it and there is no telling if Ash’s successor – whomever he might be – would keep the tradition going. Always presented in August, the grounds of the Springfield Elks Club were jammed with the sheriff’s supporters as well as friends, elected officials and candidates seeking a way to network. This has been a stop not just for local hopefuls, but gubernatorial and senate candidates as well.

For reporters, the clambake is the equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel. The grounds are crowded with those in office and those seeking office providing the media with easy access. The subject of politics dominates conversations as people sit around eating and drinking.

At the bottom of a sloping driveway into the grounds, Ashe personally greeted almost everyone who paid the $50 contribution. This year seemed like any other with Ashe hugging, shaking hands with people and appearing to be having the time of his life.

The difference this year was that Ashe used the event to promote his successor Nick Cocchi. Ashe wore a “Cocchi for Sheriff” sticker prominently on his shirt and the candidate himself was frequently greeting visitors along with Ashe.

While this reporter was at the event, he didn’t spy any of the other candidates for the position, although Springfield City Councilor Thomas Ashe placed several large signs a distance away from the club on Tiffany Street.    

Speaking to the press during a lull in the arrivals, Ashe recalled being “a young social worker” who was given the “trust and confidence” by the voters to be their sheriff.

He said his philosophy has been that the jail is simply not a place to warehouse people, but to rehabilitate them and he noted the rate of the recidivism is among the lowest in the nation.

The challenge ahead for his successor and other sheriffs is to look for alternatives in corrections for those convicted with mental illness or substance abuse, “two key issues.”

He said retirement would mean more times with his family and said he was “very blessed to have a great wife.” Ashe intends, though, to stay active by working with his favorite non-profit groups and perhaps even starting one himself.

When asked to recall highlights of the last 39 clambakes, Ashe spoke about the time Gov. Edward King took a helicopter to fly to the clambake venue. He also recalled in 1996 when then Gov. William Weld who was running for the Senate against John Kerry conducted an impromptu debate at the clambake.

Gov. Charlie Baker made the pilgrimage to the clambake once again this year. He told Ashe that he had “really set the bar high” in his career as sheriff.

“You’re a leader in the field. You’ll be missed,” he added.

Agawam Mayor Richard Cohen said that Ashe collaborated with communities, a quality he appreciates. “He understood local needs as well as regional ones,” Cohen said.

Attorney General Maura Healey said of Ashe, “He left such an indelible mark on the lives of so many people in the Commonwealth, not just in Hampden County, but across the state.”

She said she has turned to Ashe for political advice and would continue to do so despite his retirement.

State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez said Ashe “brought Hampden County Jail to the national stage as far as new initiatives that has reduced recidivism.” He believes a key to the success has been to bring inmates back into their communities.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said Ashe’s “legacy is unquestioned.” He added, “The respect for him is not only local, but through the state, through the country.”

Sarno said he knew first hand the impact Ashe’s partnership with community program can have when he was executive director of the South End Community Center.

“The Rock’s shoes are large and difficult to fill,” he said.

State Sen. Eric Lesser believes Ashe will be remembered for two major accomplishments. The first is his effort to rehabilitate inmates.

“He was 30 to 40 years ahead of the curve in corrections,” he said.

Lesser added Ashe was truly dedicated to community service.

Mike Wilk, the public information officer for the Chicopee Police Department, said succinctly, “He’s the godfather of law enforcement in Hampden County – professional and classy.”

Funds raised by the event are slated to go to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Suit Up Springfield and the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America.

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The cookout was one of several stops in Western Massachusetts for Baker who then traveled to the University of Massachusetts Center at Tower Square in downtown Springfield to announce a $5 million grant to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to establish the UMass Amherst Data Science/Cybersecurity Research and Education Collaborative, an initiative that recently received a 10-year $15 million contribution from the MassMutual Foundation.

The state grant was made through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.

Baker later in the day attended a fundraiser for James “Chip” Harrington, the Ludlow Republican who is challenging state Sen. Eric Lesser for his seat.

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